Sunday, March 30, 2014

Ramen from Yokohama Ramen Museum
I love going to Tokyo, can't deny it. There's just so much to eat there that I've not even bridged the gap to Michelin starred restaurants. Even their average joe's cafe/restaurant serves insanely delicious food. Everything pictured below is less than S$20 per item.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

This resort on the island of Batam, Indonesia has been much raved about lately so naturally I had to give this a go as well. Developed by Singaporeans, Montigo Resorts is a mere 1h ferry ride from Singapore. Reservations for this resort can be done on MisaTravels for e.g. My friends and I got a great deal for 3D2N (breakfast included), ferry transfer and a sea view 2 bedroom villa for S$290/pax. Honestly speaking, whether you get a seaview or hillview villa, there is NO difference. There is no real sea view to speak of.

Hill view villas on the left and sea view villas on the right

Depending on which ferry terminal you arrive at on Batam, the transfer to the hotel will take approx 45mins by taxi. Do check upfront for the cost of the taxi ride with your driver. Check-in is swift and a buggy will take you to your villa (you have to call for buggy to take you everywhere). The resort is very self-sufficient with 2 restaurants and a bar (expect Singapore prices). TADD's serves international American breakfast daily, PANTAI their seafood restaurant serves fresh and pretty affordable dinners, TIIGO is the adults only bar and if you prefer a more private setting, in-room BBQ can be arranged for $50/pax.

If venturing out of the resort, there is a once a day shuttle bus at 10am to Nagoya Hill Shopping Centre. The return pick up is at 4pm at Nagoya. Montigo has an in-house spa which I did not try as Nagoya Hill has many massage joints.
With an infinity pool per villa, there is no real reason to leave the resort either :)

The spacious living room (doesn't look like much but it's huge) and the disappointing seaview from the infinity pool

Master bedroom (looks small but it's not) and the guest bed room

Master bedroom bath tub (shower stalls on the left), guest bathroom and the night view when skies are clear